Theodore D. Crawford

GEDCOM Note

Birth: Baptism: Catholic Vital Records of C. Penna, V.III, p.290 Death: Pa. Bureau of Vital Stats # 65657, doc. 156

Clippings from Altoona Tribune, May 13, 1921 (Doc#92)

Alderman Theodore d. Crawford, who yesterday observed his seventieth birthday anniversary, was given a jolly surprise last evening at his home, 1716 Crawford Avenue. Old friends and relatives assembled......A fine luncheon was served at which J.P. Harney presided as toastmaster and the following surrounded the table: Alderman Theodore D. Crawford, his brothers George W. and William F., Mrs. W.F. Crawford, Miss Zita Crawford, Miss Olive Nagle, .....E.F. Crawford and wife and son Teddy.

Today is the seventieth birthday of Alderman Theodore D. Crawford of the Fifth ward. While it is Friday the Thirteenth,..... Alderman Crawford was born May 13, 1851 in the borough of Gaysport and was the son of George W. and Jane A. Crawford, both now deceased. At the age of seventeen he became a blacksmith's apprentice....... In 1872 he opened a shop for himself.

From the Altoona Mirror, 1909: Two cows belonging to Mrs. Alice Gates, wandered into the flourishing garden of Mrs. Rosie Dieptieter, an Italian resident, and helped themselves to the choicest of the garden greens. The Italian woman penned the cows up to hold them until the owner would pay for the damages, for which she asked $10. The owner of the cows, Mrs. Gates, is said to have attempted to recover the animals by force and the result is that the Italian woman has made information before Alderman Theodore Crawford, charging Mrs. Gates with assault and battery. The case will be heard on Monday at 9:30 o'clock.

January 4, 1924: CRAWFORD ESTATE SELLS OLD STORE A deal has been closed where the proprietors of the Wood Furniture company become owners of the property belonging to the Theodore D. Crawford estate at the corner of Union Avenue and 17th St. The buildings which will in the course of time be torn away are among the oldest in Altoona. They were erected when Altoona was a mere unincorporated village by one Peter Urban for a carriange shop. Mr Urban conducted the shop for a time, then sold out to George Crawford, father of the later Alderman Theodore D. Crawford, who was then conducting a shop on the point of land where the Miles confectionery store now stands. Mr. Crawford later took into partnership with him his son, Theodore, and they remained partners until the death of the elder Crawford when Theodore took over the business and conducted a blacksmith and wagonmaking shop there until he became the alderman of the fifth ward more than a score of years ago. During the time that George Crawford had the shop, he converted part of the building into a store room.

Jane Thompson of 515 28th Ave., Altoona, Pa 18602 (as of 1983), remembered going to visit family graves in Gaysport, in a cemetary "across from the Mattern farm". She thinks the DAR took them to the cemetary. Her mother said the Crawford family was Scotch.